3 ms·

Is this actually true? What's next? A BSOD? I would have ever ever in my life bet that Microsoft software could be shipped in a spacecraft carrying human beings

Is this actually true? What's next? A BSOD? I would have ever ever in my life bet that Microsoft software could be shipped in a spacecraft carrying human beings. Unbeliveable.

kube-system 7mo ago
You're a couple decades behind the news. Basically every version of Windows since 95 has been on spacecraft carrying humans. The ISS notoriously migrated to Linux after a virus spread across their Windows XP systems. But these things aren't running the guidance computers -- they're laptops.
- mmooss 7mo ago
  Laptops have built-in battery backup lasting hours.
  - kube-system 7mo ago
    Are you suggesting that’s the reason they use them? They use laptops because desktops are too big. The laptops aren’t there as some sort of a contingency for a power loss. They’re there to do their research work. You know, how scientists on earth use laptops, and or desktops.
    - mmooss 7mo ago
      How do you know that? Desktop form factors are much more flexible, making them effectively smaller. They don't need a case - you can disassemble them, build them into cabinets and consoles; you can reduce their volume to a keyboard (or less).
      - kube-system 7mo ago
        They’re not looking for a science fair project, it’s a production piece of IT equipment. Adding a bunch of bespoke equipment is an unnecessary risk when a well understood off the shelf product fits the bill. It’s just office equipment for doing basic computer tasks. A laptop is appropriate.
        mmooss 7mo ago
        Much production IT equipment in industrial and many other settings is what I described. It's a mature, commonplace form factor. It's in cars (without keyboards), control rooms, server racks ... That said, I don't know why they use laptops, and it doesn't look like you do either.
        kube-system 7mo ago
        I’m not making things up. Much has been written about the use of PC on spacecraft. As it turns out, PCs make good PCs: https://gizmodo.com/how-astronauts-use-laptops-on-the-international-space-s-1654962539 https://gizmodo.com/how-astronauts-use-laptops-on-the-intern... https://web.archive.org/web/20160526014418/https://www.techrepublic.com/article/from-windows-10-linux-ipads-iphones-to-hololens-the-tech-space-station-astronauts-use/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160526014418/https://www.techr...
- vsgherzi 7mo ago
  do you have a link on the virus part? I thought they moved simply for stability
  - kube-system 7mo ago
    https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/155392-international-space-station-switches-from-windows-to-linux-for-improved-reliability https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/155392-international-spa...
  - enoint 7mo ago
    https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=288028 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=288028
krisoft 7mo ago
> I would have ever ever in my life bet that Microsoft software could be shipped in a spacecraft carrying human beings. Do you also worry when you are flying on an airplane where some other passengers carry a laptop running windows? Just because it is a computer and it is on a spacecraft doesnt mean it will harm human beings if it goes down.
- zelphirkalt 7mo ago
  If there was a possibility to hook that device up to any flight critical other stuff, or carry it in the cockpit maybe I would be worried. (am not the GP)

Is this actually true? What's next? A BSOD? I would have ever ever in my life bet that Microsoft software could be shipped in a spacecraft carrying human beings. Unbeliveable.

kube-system 7mo ago

You're a couple decades behind the news. Basically every version of Windows since 95 has been on spacecraft carrying humans. The ISS notoriously migrated to Linux after a virus spread across their Windows XP systems. But these things aren't running the guidance computers -- they're laptops.

mmooss 7mo ago
Laptops have built-in battery backup lasting hours.
- kube-system 7mo ago
  Are you suggesting that’s the reason they use them? They use laptops because desktops are too big. The laptops aren’t there as some sort of a contingency for a power loss. They’re there to do their research work. You know, how scientists on earth use laptops, and or desktops.
  - mmooss 7mo ago
    How do you know that? Desktop form factors are much more flexible, making them effectively smaller. They don't need a case - you can disassemble them, build them into cabinets and consoles; you can reduce their volume to a keyboard (or less).
    - kube-system 7mo ago
      They’re not looking for a science fair project, it’s a production piece of IT equipment. Adding a bunch of bespoke equipment is an unnecessary risk when a well understood off the shelf product fits the bill. It’s just office equipment for doing basic computer tasks. A laptop is appropriate.
      - mmooss 7mo ago
        Much production IT equipment in industrial and many other settings is what I described. It's a mature, commonplace form factor. It's in cars (without keyboards), control rooms, server racks ... That said, I don't know why they use laptops, and it doesn't look like you do either.
        kube-system 7mo ago
        I’m not making things up. Much has been written about the use of PC on spacecraft. As it turns out, PCs make good PCs: https://gizmodo.com/how-astronauts-use-laptops-on-the-international-space-s-1654962539 https://gizmodo.com/how-astronauts-use-laptops-on-the-intern... https://web.archive.org/web/20160526014418/https://www.techrepublic.com/article/from-windows-10-linux-ipads-iphones-to-hololens-the-tech-space-station-astronauts-use/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160526014418/https://www.techr...
vsgherzi 7mo ago
do you have a link on the virus part? I thought they moved simply for stability
- kube-system 7mo ago
  https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/155392-international-space-station-switches-from-windows-to-linux-for-improved-reliability https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/155392-international-spa...
- enoint 7mo ago
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=288028 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=288028

krisoft 7mo ago

> I would have ever ever in my life bet that Microsoft software could be shipped in a spacecraft carrying human beings. Do you also worry when you are flying on an airplane where some other passengers carry a laptop running windows? Just because it is a computer and it is on a spacecraft doesnt mean it will harm human beings if it goes down.

zelphirkalt 7mo ago
If there was a possibility to hook that device up to any flight critical other stuff, or carry it in the cockpit maybe I would be worried. (am not the GP)